who is riviera travel owned by

Riviera Travel hires bankers to set sail with new owner

Silverfleet Capital has appointed Baird to oversee an auction of the river cruise and holiday operator aimed at the over-55s, Sky News understands.

City editor @MarkKleinmanSky

Friday 8 March 2024 14:38, UK

The owners of Riviera Travel, one of Britain's biggest providers of escorted foreign tours for the over-55s, have hired bankers to prepare a sale of the company.

Sky News understands that Silverfleet Capital, which has owned Riviera since 2017, has hired Baird, the investment bank, to oversee an auction later this year.

Riviera runs river cruises as well as holidays to destinations in Europe, India and South Africa.

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Founded in 1984 by Michael Wright, it was initially backed by private equity firm Phoenix Equity Partners in 2014.

The value of any prospective deal was unclear on Friday, although parts of the travel industry have recovered strongly in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.

The impending auction of Riviera comes as Saga, the London-listed insurance and travel group, explores options for its own cruise business.

Saga confirmed in January that it was examining ways to release capital from the division, which comprises the Spirit of Adventure ships.

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Riviera is one of only four remaining assets in the Silverfleet portfolio, having once been one of London's most prominent mid-market private equity investors.

It also owns Sigma, an aerospace components supplier.

A spokesman for Silverfleet declined to comment.

Private equity firm acquires majority stake in Riviera Travel

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Private equity firm Silverfleet Capital has bought a majority stake in river cruise and escorted tours specialist operator Riviera Travel.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, is expected to be completed shortly and will see Riviera invest in its direct sales channels and new ship orders and was described by the operator as a “huge opportunity” for the trade.

It comes less than six months after its majority stakeholder Phoenix Equity Partners hired professional services firm PwC to look for new investment and was tipped to attract investment of up to £250 million.

Phoenix Equity Partners acquired its majority stake in 2014 from founder Michael Wright in a deal thought to be worth around £120 million.

Founded in 1984 and based in Burton-on-Trent in the UK, Riviera is a leading operator of escorted tours with a focus on the over-55s market.

It provides European tour holidays, river and ocean cruises, city breaks, solo travel, weekend breaks and long-haul tours with itineraries combining leisure with education and entertainment.

Riviera currently offers tours and cruises to 140 destinations across 50 countries and has more than 118,000 customers per year.

The companies say Silverfleet Capital’s investment will “enable Riviera to accelerate its growth trajectory by focusing on developing the direct to consumer channel”, increase its river capacity through investing in new ships, expand its US customer base and “use its strong brand to help develop new holidays and experiences”.

David Clemson, chief executive of Riviera, said: “We will continue to evolve our escorted tours and river cruises and build on our unique quality and value proposition, not to mention high levels of repeat business, making this a huge opportunity for our travel agent partners.

“Riviera is now positioned as a premium tour operator for the over 55-year-old consumer. Having managed the development of the business over the past nine years, I look forward to leading Riviera through its next phase of growth.

“Silverfleet Capital is a partner that comes with a significant and longstanding reputation for helping European businesses grow. With their support and substantial experience in the consumer sector we can successfully achieve our goals and develop the company further.”

The investment is the sixth completed by Silverfleet in its current fund, and the second within retail, leisure and consumer, a sector where the firm has been investing since 1990. Silverfleet specialises in buy-to-build acquisitions and its current portfolio companies are based in Denmark, Norway, France, the UK and Germany.

Gareth Whiley, partner at Silverfleet Capital with responsibility for Silverfleet’s investments in the retail, leisure and consumer sector, said: “Riviera is a high quality, well-established business with a strong brand and value proposition. Silverfleet has long been attracted to the travel sector and the growing demographic that Riviera serves. We are excited by the prospect of working closely with the highly experienced management team and using our knowledge of the sector to help Riviera continue to develop its brand and customer base.”

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Riviera Travel Has Been Acquired by Silverfleet Capital From Phoenix Equity Partners

Phoenix Equity Partners (Phoenix), a leading UK middle-market private equity firm, has to announcd that it has entered into a binding contract to sell Riviera Travel (Riviera) to Silverfleet Capital (Silverfleet).

Founded in 1984 and based in Burton-on-Trent in the UK, Riviera is a major operator of escorted tours with a focus on the over 55s market. The Company provides European tour holidays, river and ocean cruises, city breaks, and long-haul tours with varied itineraries combining leisure with education and entertainment. Riviera continues to diversify its range of holidays and currently offers tours and cruises to 50 countries, attracting over 118,000 customers per year.

Phoenix first partnered with Riviera’s CEO David Clemson in 2014 to support a management buyout of the business.  Since then, Riviera has significantly increased revenues and profitability by driving growth through the direct-to-consumer channel, adding new and complementary products, and expanding internationally.  David will continue to lead the business through the next stage of its growth.

David Burns, Managing Partner at Phoenix, said: “We are delighted with the strong growth that Riviera has achieved during our investment period. This growth, combined with Riviera’s recognition in the industry – including Which? Travel brand of the year 2017 – is testament to the complete focus on customer satisfaction at Riviera. It has been a huge pleasure working with the Riviera team and we wish them every continued success for the future.”

David Clemson, CEO of Riviera, said: “I am immensely proud of what we have achieved over the past three years and I’ve really valued our partnership with Phoenix.  I look forward to working with Silverfleet over the coming years as we continue to provide fantastic experiences to both our existing, loyal customers and new holidaymakers alike.”

Corporate finance advisers on the transaction were PwC. Travers Smith (legal), PwC (financial due diligence), and LEK (commercial due diligence) advised Phoenix and Riviera.

Deloitte advised Silverfleet on the transaction structure and tax aspects of the deal. The transaction was led by Roger Wightman and James Hatton from the Deloitte M&A tax team, with specialist input from our VAT and management equity teams. The team leveraged its previous experience and insights from recent successful Private Equity deals in the tour operator and travel sector, and brought in expertise from across the firm in order to deliver the transaction.

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Riviera Travel - Ownership and Business Overview

Business services company, riviera travel ownership, who owns riviera travel.

Riviera Travel is owned by Silverfleet Capital . It was acquired on December 13, 2017.

Is Riviera Travel PE-backed?

Yes. Riviera Travel is owned by private equity investor Silverfleet Capital.

Was Riviera Travel formerly PE-backed?

Yes. Riviera Travel was formerly owned by 1 private investor.

Riviera Travel Business Overview

Where is riviera travel headquartered.

Riviera Travel is headquartered in Burton-on-Trent, United Kingdom.

What sector is Riviera Travel in?

Riviera Travel is a business services company.

When was Riviera Travel founded?

Riviera Travel was founded in 1984.

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Riviera Travel Co.

328 Wetmore Road, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1SP United Kingdom , +44 1283 742300 www.rivieratravel.co.uk

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Riviera Travel is a operator of escorted tours with a focus on the over 55s market. The Company provides European tour holidays, river and ocean cruises, city breaks, and long-haul tours with varied itineraries combining leisure with education and entertainment. Riviera continues to diversify its range of holidays and currently offers tours and cruises to 50 countries, attracting over 118,000 customers per year.

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Private equity firm takes majority stake in riviera travel.

Riviera Travel will use funds from its new owners to develop more ‘direct to consumer’ channels following a deal understood to be worth more than £200 million.

Riviera is now in the hands of Silverfleet Capital, a private equity firm that has taken a majority stake in the escorted tours and cruise brand. The deal will see Riviera chief executive David Clemson remain with the company and Silverfleet fund its expansion.

A Silverfleet spokesperson would not disclose how much of Riviera it now owned but confirmed investment would be made in the digital side of the business. “The firm already has a well-established digital channel, it’s a case of improving what they have got,” he said.

Other investment will also be made into new river ships, expanding the US customer base and “using its strong brand to help develop new holidays and experiences”. Riviera targets the over-55 market and was founded in 1984. It operates in 50 countries and carries more than 118,000 passengers a year. Former majority stakeholder Phoenix Equity Partners hired PwC to seek new partners earlier this year with expectations of attracting investment of up to £250 million. Phoenix Equity Partners acquired its majority stake in 2014 from founder Michael Wright. David Clemson, chief executive of Riviera Travel, said: “I am immensely proud of what we have achieved over the last few years, in particular the growth in sales via the trade and of course being named the Which? Travel Brand of the Year. “I look forward to leading the business through its next phase of growth supported by Silverfleet Capital. We will continue to evolve our escorted tours and river cruises and build on our unique quality and value proposition, not to mention high levels of repeat business, making this a huge opportunity for our travel agent partners.” Gareth Whiley, partner at Silverfleet Capital, added: “Riviera Travel is a high quality, well established business with a strong brand and value proposition. Silverfleet has long been attracted to the travel sector and the growing demographic that Riviera Travel serves.

“We are excited by the prospect of working closely with the highly experienced management team and using our knowledge of the sector to help Riviera Travel develop its brand and customer base.”

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Silverfleet invests in specialist global tour operator, Riviera Travel

13 December 2017

Riviera Travel offers a global portfolio of escorted tours and cruises to 50 countries, attracting over 118,000 holidaymakers per year

Silverfleet Capital, the Pan-European private equity firm that specialises in buy-to-build, has entered into a binding contract to acquire a majority stake in Riviera Travel (“Riviera” or the “Company”), a leading specialist holiday operator offering a global portfolio of escorted tours and cruises. Completion is expected shortly and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1984 and based in Burton-on-Trent in the UK, Riviera is a leading operator of escorted tours with a focus on the over 55s market. The Company provides European tour holidays, river and ocean cruises, city breaks, and long-haul tours with varied itineraries combining leisure with education and entertainment. Riviera continues to diversify its range of holidays and currently offers tours and cruises to 50 countries, attracting over 118,000 customers per year.

Riviera has built an excellent reputation for quality and value for money with its focus being on providing exceptional customer service. The Company attracts new customers through its multi-channel route to market and its distinctive brand ensures a significant and growing level of repeat customers.

Silverfleet Capital’s investment will enable Riviera to accelerate its growth trajectory by focusing on developing the direct to consumer channel; increasing river capacity through investing in new ships; expanding its US customer base; and using its strong brand to help develop new holidays and experiences.

This transaction represents the sixth investment completed by Silverfleet in its current fund, and the second within Retail, Leisure & Consumer, a sector where the firm has been investing since 1990. Silverfleet’s current portfolio companies are based in Denmark, Norway, France, the UK and Germany.

Gareth Whiley, Partner at Silverfleet Capital with responsibility for Silverfleet’s investments in the Retail, Leisure & Consumer Sector said: “Riviera is a high quality, well-established business with a strong brand and value proposition. Silverfleet has long been attracted to the travel sector and the growing demographic that Riviera serves. We are excited by the prospect of working closely with the highly experienced management team and using our knowledge of the sector to help Riviera continue to develop its brand and customer base.”

David Clemson, CEO of Riviera added: “Riviera is now positioned as a premium tour operator for the over 55 year old consumer. Having managed the development of the business over the past nine years, I look forward to leading Riviera through its next phase of growth. Silverfleet Capital is a partner that comes with a significant and longstanding reputation for helping European businesses grow. I have known Gareth and the team for a long time and am convinced that with their support and substantial experience in the consumer sector we can successfully achieve our goals and develop the company further.”

The Silverfleet Capital team that worked on the transaction included Gareth Whiley, Mark Piasecki, Robert Knight and Adam Ahern, who are based in Silverfleet’s London office.

Silverfleet was advised by Alvarez & Marsal (financial & tax), Parthenon EY (commercial), Ropes & Gray (legal, corporate and banking), Harris Williams (M&A), Deloitte (debt advisory), Intuitus (IT), PwC (data analytics) and AJ Gallagher (insurance).

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Phoenix Equity Partners backs Riviera Travel

UK-based Riviera Travel, a provider of overseas escorted tours and river cruises, has received funding from Phoenix Equity Partners . No financial terms were disclosed. As a result of the transaction, Riviera founder Michael Wright will remain as a non-executive director and a “significant” shareholder. PwC Corporate Finance and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co . advised Riviera on the transaction while Duff & Phelps, Travers Smith and EY advised Phoenix.

PRESS RELEASE

22 December 2014

Riviera Travel (“Riviera”), one of the UK’s leading providers of overseas escorted tour holidays and river cruises, today announces an investment by Phoenix Equity Partners (“Phoenix”), a leading UK middle-market private equity firm. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

Riviera, founded in 1984, will be led by David Clemson who joined the business in 2008 and continues as Managing Director. Michael Wright, the founder of Riviera, will remain with the business as a non-executive director and as asignificant shareholder.

Headquartered in Burton-upon-Trent, Riviera has grown impressively over the past few years, where it has delivered turnover growth of over 20% per annum.

In 2014, Riviera carried over 115,000 passengers.

Riviera operates in the high growth escorted tour and river cruise segments.

Core customers are typically over 50s travellers, attracted by Riviera’s exceptional customer service and value for money. Riviera is the provider of choice for people “passionate about travel”.

Michael Wright, Founder of Riviera, said: “I am delighted to welcome Phoenix as a new investor in Riviera. Phoenix is very experienced at partnering with founder owned businesses. Together, we shall continue to focus on providing exceptional service for our loyal customers, developing our successful portfolio of tours and river cruises, and creating opportunities in the business for staff at all levels.”

David Clemson, Managing Director of Riviera, commented: “I am very excited that Phoenix is investing in the business. They have strong experience of the leisure sector and, most importantly, it will be business as usual as we move into the busy booking season in January.”

David Burns, Managing Partner at Phoenix, added: “Riviera is an exceptional company, with a wonderful culture and very loyal customers. We are delighted to be partnering with Michael and David, and to be investing to grow the business.” Riviera was advised by PwC Corporate Finance and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co.

Phoenix was advised by Duff & Phelps, Travers Smith and EY.

About Riviera Travel (www.rivieratravel.co.uk) Riviera Travel is one of the UK’s leading overseas escorted tour and river cruise companies. It has been delighting customers with its holidays throughout its 30 year history, and is truly Passionate about Travel.

Riviera has been a Which? Recommended Provider of holidays for each of the last three years.

About Phoenix Equity Partners (www.phoenix-equity.com) Phoenix is an independent private equity fund management business. Phoenix is owned by its executive team. Phoenix’s investment focus is on mid-market UK private businesses valued at up to £200 million.

Phoenix invests across a wide range of sectors, backing entrepreneurs to build great businesses. Recent investments include Just Childcare (Healthcare and Education) and Key Retirement Solutions (Financial Services). Phoenix also has strong experience of the leisure sector, having previously invested in businesses such as The Gym Group.

Other recent Phoenix transactions include: · Sale of Precise Media Group, the media monitoring business, to WPP plc · Sale of NFT Distribution Operations, the UK market leader in chilled food distribution to EmergeVest

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Scylla Cruises

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

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Scylla Cruises fleet

Ms viva enjoy, ms seaventure, ms porto mirante, ms viva two, ms viva one, ms geoffrey chaucer, ms lord tennyson, ms andorinha, ms george eliot, ms william wordsworth, ms viva moments, ms emily bronte, ms oscar wilde, review of scylla cruises.

Scylla Cruises is a shipowner that charters its riverboats to major river cruise operators (travel agencies) , including Riviera Travel UK, Tauck Travel USA, Thurgau Travel Switzerland.

Scylla Cruises (scylla.ch/en) is a brand and subsidiary of the Basel Switzerland -headquartered passenger shipping company SCYLLA AG. Scylla was established in 1974. Its cruise brand enjoys a large number of repeat customers and constantly expands its fleet.

As river cruise line , Scylla started shipping operations with MS Scylla (riverboat) on Rhine River. Curiously enough, the industry's first vessel deployed on itineraries transiting Rhine-Main-Danube Canal was a Scylla boat. The same goes for the first ship deployed year-round in Italy, on Po River.

Currently, Scylla Tours Holding AG is owned by the brothers Arno and Robert Reitsma.

SCYLLA AG is managed by two directors - Robbert Verbeek (CFO-chief financial officer) and Andreas Wandinger (CCO-chief commercial officer). Scylla's current CEO is Arno Reitsma.

Scylla's subsidiary and luxury river travel brand "VIVA Cruises" was established in 2018 and inaugurated in 2019.

VIVA Cruises (Scylla Ocean)

On January 15, 2019, was announced that Scylla AG purchased the ocean liner "MS Bremen" from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises - subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd AG (German-Chilean shipping company, one of the world's oldest). The vessel was officially delivered to the new shipowner in May 2021. Bremen ship's sale price was not disclosed. As of 2019, Scylla owned 31 riverboats, most of which are chartered to different European cruisetour companies.

In November 2019, Scylla announced the launch of its new (ocean cruising) brand "VIVA Cruises Expeditions". The new brand started operations in May 2021 with MS SeaVenture (fka MS Seascape / MS Bremen) . VIVA Expeditions operate in the regions of Northern Europe, the Arctic (Europe and Canada) and Antarctica . For season 2021-2022 (starting in November 2021) SeaVenture was chartered to Polar Latitudes for voyages to Antarctica. SeaVenture officially started operations for VIVA Expeditions on May 15, 2021, with a 7-day maiden voyage from Amsterdam to Hamburg (homeport).

As of 2019, Scylla's fleet included 32 fully-owned passenger ships, the latest being Anna Katharina (2019new -built and chartered to Phoenix Reisen ).The 

Scylla fleet's smallest vessel is Swiss Ruby (88 pax) while the largest are the sisterships Alina and Amelia (220 pax each).

Scylla fleet's newest riverboats are the sisterships VIVA One (2022), VIVA Two (2023) and VIVA Enjoy (2024).

VIVA's 2024 European river cruise brochure listed a diverse collection of 85 different itineraries and 280+ voyages across its fleet of 8 boats.

VIVA Cruises' COO is Andrea Kruse.

Scylla river cruise ship charters

A unique offer is the Scylla AG's river cruise ship charterers marked by absolute flexibility. Other companies can charter a Scylla boat for a period ranging from 1-night to a week, a month and even for a whole season. The company also provides the English-speaking crew, the hotel staff, gourmet cuisine options, specifically-tailored tours and excursions ashore. Individual requirements are also met.

Private ship charters also offer customized cruise itinerary (route and ports of call) and all the cruise arrangements, including food and beverage provision (and with port authorities - boat registration and berth reservations (moorings). Scylla also will organize the charter's shore excursion program to fit its exact needs.

The onboard dining options include cold and hot buffet breakfast, dinner menus with several courses, lunch and dinner buffets, the Captain's Gala Dinner event. On chartered cruises, the company provides customized menus according to particular preferences, including vegetarian, Asian cuisine, kosher food, themed buffets.

Scylla boats can also be chartered as "hotel ships" docked in many big European river ports, like Basel, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hannover. This way the boat may become a location for special events and celebrations, corporate meetings, exhibitions, employee training sessions, annual events, team building, and incentive programs. The boats also can be individually furnished and with the customer's own branding.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Scylla's main boat charterer - Riviera Travel UK - suspended fleetwide its passenger shipping operations between March 15, 2020, and early-July 2021. Tauck Travel canceled all river cruises and tours with departures through August 31, Thurgau Travel - through July 31.

All affected bookings received a full refund in FCC (future cruise credit / Refund Credit Notes), including on prepurchased through the company packages and services. The cruise rebooking must be made before December 31, 2020.

Itinerary of Scylla Cruises

The line's current fleet includes the impressive number of 23 beautiful, spacious and modern-designed river cruise ships (including "Suite Ships") sailing exclusively on the European waterways. All Scylla ships are Swiss-flagged.

The Scylla cruise line company owns and operates the following riverboats:

• MS Edelweiss
• MS Jane Austen
• MS Lord Byron
• MS Swiss Crown
• MS Swiss Crystal
• MS Swiss Diamond
• MS Swiss Emerald
• MS Swiss Jewel
• MS Swiss Pearl
• MS Swiss Ruby
• MS Swiss Sapphire
• VIVA Gloria
• VIVA Inspire
• VIVA Moments (fka MS Robert Burns)
• VIVA Treasures
• VIVA Voyage (fka MS Swiss Corona)

The fleet's newest vessels are the sisterships VIVA One (2022), VIVA Two (2023) and VIVA Enjoy (2024).

Some Scylla ships are often chartered by travel companies like Tauck (USA) and Phoenix Reisen (Germany).

Riviera Travel (UK cruise brand company/tour travel agency) exclusively charters the following Scylla-owned newbuild riverboats :

• Lord Byron (2012)
• William Shakespeare (2014)
• Charles Dickens (2015)
• Jane Austen (2015)
• Thomas Hardy (2016)
• Emily Bronte (2017)
• Oscar Wilde (2017)
• George Eliot (2019)
• William Wordsworth (2019)
• Geoffrey Chaucer (2020)
• Lord Tennyson (2021)

Scylla Cruises related cruise news

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MS VIVA Two christened at VIVA Cruises' home port of Dusseldorf (Germany)

A 2nd ship in a year was named by VIVA Cruises (fleet) with a 3rd new riverboat scheduled to enter service in September 2024. The 190-guest VIVA Two...

Shiri Gordon to serve as the godmother of MS VIVA Two

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VIVA Cruises to christen VIVA Two riverboat in March 2023

Scylla's luxury river cruise travel brand VIVA Cruises (fleet) announced the expansion of its 2nd build ship, MS VIVA Two, in 2023. Following the...

VIVA Cruises' first new build ship VIVA ONE begins Rhine and Moselle sailings

After her May christening, VIVA Cruises’ first newbuild riverboat - MS VIVA ONE, started itineraries on the Moselle and Rhine rivers. To...

VIVA Cruises' first new build ship VIVA ONE christened in Dusseldorf (Germany)

The new river travel brand VIVA Cruises (fleet) welcomed its first newbuild to the family. MS VIVA One was officially christened in her homeport of...

VIVA Cruises becomes the only river line operating with no winter break

VIVA Cruises/fleet (travel brand owned by Scylla) started its 2022 season with two Rhine River voyages, which returned to homeport Dusseldorf...

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Riviera Travel kickstarts 40th anniversary with new brand campaign

Riviera Travel has launched a new brand campaign and TV advertising to mark its 40th anniversary, which will take place in March 2024.

The campaign uses a host of communications channels, including its trade-specific platforms, to promote Riviera’s river cruise and escorted tour product.

The full campaign will run into 2024.

Several trade activities are being rolled out with a number of key agent partners, including e-shots, social media posts, direct mail and print, and digital advertising.

Complementary TV and radio advertising will run on the likes of ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky TV, Classic FM and LBC.

Actor Iain Glen, whose credits include Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey, provides the voiceovers.

Two television adverts have been produced for the campaign. One focuses on Riviera’s river cruise holidays and the other on its full product portfolio showcasing their ocean, land and river collections.

The river cruise advert focuses on the brand’s ships, cabins, dining options and included excursions.

It also highlights the free ‘superior’ drinks package, worth £400pp per week, which is on offer for all 2024 river cruises.

Riviera Travel ‘in the spotlight’

Riviera Travel marketing director Sarah Fowler said: “With excitement building to our big anniversary, this is the perfect time to launch an integrated campaign that puts the spotlight on the eye-catching array of holiday options we offer, and encourages guests to join us in 2024 for what will be a fantastic year of celebration.

“We’ll be working closely alongside the trade to help maximise all our activities and want to thank agents for the support we’re already receiving.

“Riviera has enjoyed a fantastic four decades and we’ll ensure there’s plenty more initiatives lined up as we edge closer to March 2024.

“We couldn’t have achieved the success we have without our partners and can’t wait to celebrate with them and our guests next year.”

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Properties no longer be operated by Karisma (El Dorado, etc) - Riviera Maya Forum

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Properties no longer be operated by Karisma (El Dorado, etc)

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Will have to see how this affects the quality/service.

21 replies to this topic

The corporate things going on with hotels are always interesting to watch. Thanks for letting everyone know.

This post has been removed at the author's request.

Thank you 😊

We also are due to be at EDR in January however now been offered a alternative at Margaritavile..

We have been to EDR casitas 9 times however not since 2019..We was looking forward to any changes made, anyone know good or bad this new management has put into play before we agree to more to karisma resort thank you

This change should be for the better as the owners of the El Dorado resorts are taking over management, so they have a vested interest in making sure things are better than ever.

Thank you for the update 👌

Thank you 👌 put our mind at rest

We started going to EDR in 2009 it's was lovely however over the years we slowly watched things going down..

I remember being able to use the Srpar water journey on a cloudy day if staying in the casitas however you now have to pay..

The burger man in the afternoon the naya spar products in the room I could go on and on..

I hope the family bring back all theses along with JO JOs 🙏 thank you for your update much appreciated

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Who Owns the Riviera Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

The Riviera cruise ship is owned by Oceania Cruises, a leading cruise line company that has been in business since 2002. The company was founded by Frank Del Rio and Joe Watters and originally operated as a joint venture between Norwegian Cruise Line and Star Cruises. Oceania Cruises currently operates five ships, including the Riviera, which was launched in 2012.

The Riviera is a luxurious cruise ship that offers guests a unique travel experience. This vessel boasts an impressive array of amenities, including a spa, swimming pool, fitness center, multiple restaurants and bars, shopping arcade and even an onboard casino. It also features spacious cabins with private balconies that offer stunning vistas of the sea.

The Riviera is staffed by highly-trained professionals who provide passengers with exceptional service throughout their voyage. The crew members strive to make sure every guest has an enjoyable and memorable experience while aboard the ship. From the moment they step on board until they disembark at their destination, passengers are treated to luxurious accommodations, delicious cuisine and world-class entertainment options.

In addition to its expansive selection of onboard features and services, the Riviera also offers exciting shore excursions for passengers who want to explore the destinations they visit during their voyage. Guests can choose from a variety of activities such as snorkeling in pristine waters or taking part in cultural tours that provide unique insight into local lifestyles and customs.

Whether travelers are looking for a relaxing getaway or an exciting adventure, Oceania Cruises provides them with everything they need for an unforgettable journey aboard the Riviera cruise ship. With its luxurious amenities and attentive staff members, it’s no wonder why this vessel has become one of the most popular cruise ships sailing today.

Conclusion:

Oceania Cruises is the proud owner of the iconic Riviera cruise ship which offers guests unparalleled comfort and luxury while experiencing some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. With its impressive range of onboard features and services as well as exciting shore excursions available at each port of call, it’s no wonder why travelers continue to choose this vessel for their next holiday getaway.

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Arnaud Lagardère Forced To Resign As CEO Of Vivendi-Owned Publisher & Travel Retail Giant Due To Indictment

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Arnaud Lagardère , head of Vivendi -owned French publishing and travel retail giant Lagardère Group , has been forced to resign as CEO of the company following his indictment related to accusations of embezzlement.

“This indictment essentially concerns facts relating to personal companies wholly owned by Arnaud Lagardère and not involving any Lagardère group companies,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

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News of the forced resignation followed reports on Monday that Lagardère had been questioned by a Paris judge in relation to accusations of embezzlement.

The Lagardère Group, which was founded by Lagardère’s father Jean-Luc Lagardère in 1992, is home to publishing giant Lagardère Publishing and Lagardère Travel Retail. Its assets also include Paris Match and Le Journal du Dimanche and top radio stations Europe 1.

Vivendi took full control of the Lagardère Group in November 2023 following approval from European Commission, under its EU merger legislation,in return for selling publishing assets Editis and Gala magazine, which was part of its Prisma Media subsidiary.

Lagardère was retained as CEO of the group.

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I've stayed at every Disney World hotel — these 5 are actually worth every penny

• I've stayed at every hotel at Disney World , and some are worth the extra cost on vacation.
• I love Pop Century Resort for its cheaper rooms, and it's easy to get to two of the four parks.
• One of my favorite resorts is Disney's Swan and Dolphin , which is actually owned by Marriott.

I've been going to Disney World for almost 30 years, and in that time, I've been lucky enough to stay at every single hotel the company has to offer.

There are plenty of options, from family-friendly and budget stays to high-end luxury resorts.

A typical trip to Disney World for a family of four can cost nearly $7,000, so it's tempting to cut corners by staying off-property. But there are five on-property hotels that I think are totally worth the money.

Pop Century is my favorite budget-friendly hotel.

Disney hotels are expensive, but rooms at Pop Century can be deeply discounted, making for a budget-friendly stay .

Room rates range between $180 and $500 a night, but promotions are typically offered throughout the year for Florida residents and annual passholders.

One of my favorite perks of staying at Pop Century is having easy access to the Disney Skyliner , a free gondola system that takes people between nearby hotels, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios.

I also love all the photo ops around the hotel's nostalgic, decade-specific decor . These make for great family photos to look back on.

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin is in a prime location near two theme parks.

I love using points to stay at hotels , and since Disney's Swan and Dolphin is owned by Marriott, I can even do it at Disney World.

The three sister hotels on the property (Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve) share amenities, including a handful of pools and more than a dozen dining options.

The biggest benefit of staying here is the proximity to Epcot and Hollywood Studios . It's about a 15-minute walk to either park, or there are complimentary boats that run every 10 minutes or so.

My favorite way to spend a long weekend is glamping at Disney’s Fort Wilderness.

When the weather is cooler in the spring and fall, I love spending a long weekend glamping in the cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness .

I always rent a golf cart because the campgrounds are very spread out. It's nice to be able to ride around to see wildlife in the morning or get to the pool quickly in the afternoon.

I also love getting a dinner reservation for Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at the campgrounds. The high-energy experience is one of the longest-running dinner theaters in the country, and the fried chicken is amazing.

Plus, Disney is in the process of building over 300 new cabins for Disney Vacation Club members, and they're supposed to be even more luxurious.

Disney’s Coronado Springs is one of my favorite moderate-level hotels.

Coronado Springs is one of Disney World's most underrated hotels . It's a moderate-level resort, so room rates range between $260 and $600, but it feels deluxe.

I love the main hotel pool, which looks like an ancient Mayan ruin. It also has the largest hot tub at Disney World, which is great for a soak after a long day at the parks.

But the hotel's biggest highlight is its dining scene. One of my favorite things to do when I stay here is have dinner at Three Bridges Bar & Grill , which overlooks the lake in the middle of the resort.

After dinner, I head into Gran Destino Tower and go up to Dahlia Lounge for a cocktail and dessert. The lounge's outdoor seating area has incredible views that span from Animal Kingdom to Epcot, with Hollywood Studios in the middle.

I always book a room at Disney’s Riviera Resort for a luxury stay.

My favorite hotel at Disney World right now is the Riviera Resort.

I've been lucky enough to stay in a studio and a one-bedroom villa there, and both had the perfect combination of Disney touches and modern elegance.

Besides the stunning rooms, the resort has one of my favorite quick-service restaurants at Disney World : Primo Piatto. I've worked my way through the menu to try just about everything, and I've never had a bad meal.

The resort's amenities are also really fun. I especially love Beau Soleil, the quieter of the two pools, for its laid-back atmosphere and great views of the hotel and Skyliner.

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News | Rehab Riviera: Addiction fraud charges filed…

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News | Rehab Riviera: Addiction fraud charges filed against another OC operator

Column: 'it is a shame that the government brought these allegations against one of the good guys,' attorney says.

The U.S. Department of Justice promised a crackdown, dubbed it “The Sober Home Initiative,” and focused intensely on shenanigans in Southern California . The wheels of justice grind slowly, but grind they do: On Saturday, April 27, Newport Beach resident Scott Raffa became the latest to be ensnared.

Raffa, 57, was arrested at LAX and was charged with a dozen counts of “illegal remunerations for referrals to clinical treatment facilities” — or, in plainer language, of paying kickbacks to “body brokers” to deliver patients with good insurance — to the tune of some $175,000.

He owned and operated Orange County-based Sober Partners Waterfront Recovery Center, Sober Partners Reef House and Sober Partners Beach House, according to the indictment. The facilities enrolled private-pay patients with health insurance through Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna Health, United Health Group and others, the feds said.

Raffa pleaded not guilty on Monday, April 29, and trial was set for June 25 before U.S. District Judge Fred W. Slaughter in Santa Ana.

Raffa’s attorney, Harry Nelson of Nelson Hardiman LLP in Los Angeles, was disappointed with the DOJ’s action.

“Our firm represents Scott Raffa and we have worked with him for several years on compliance,” Nelson said by email. “In that time, Scott has cooperated with the government in its investigations to try to address the countless individuals and organizations who unfortunately do not share his personal commitments, and who continue to engage in illegal practices. It is a shame that the government brought these allegations against one of the good guys.

“Without addressing the specifics of allegations from three and four years ago, I can personally attest that Scott is a high integrity and decent person devoted to delivering addiction treatment and recovery services the right way, in strict compliance with the law. I am confident that Scott’s integrity and commitment to following the law will serve him in good stead in responding to the charges here.”

Nelson added that, in light of the tens of millions of dollars being actively poured into patient brokering in Southern California every month, the number alleged here — “nearly $175,000” in 2020-2021 — is not exactly newsworthy. “In my view, the government should be focusing on real threats rather than focusing on someone who has spent the last several years trying to combat this very problem,” Nelson said.

Sober Partners Reef House is a state-licensed residential detox in three Huntington Beach homes with 18 total beds, according to state data, while state-certified Sober Partners Waterfront Recovery Center is in Costa Mesa.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Raffa on April 10. It alleges he paid thousands of dollars per patient in illegal kickbacks to body brokers who referred patients to his facilities.

To get around laws prohibiting payments based on the volume or value of patient referrals, Raffa and the brokers entered into sham contracts to conceal the nature of the illicit payments, the feds allege.

They met in person, or communicated via encrypted messaging services, to calculate and haggle over the kickback amounts Raffa owed based on the insurance revenues he expected to receive for the brokered patients, the indictment alleges.

Raffa refused to pay unless patients stayed for at least 21 days at one of his treatment facilities, the indictment says. That ensures juicier insurance reimbursements.

If convicted of all charges, Raffa would face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each count, the DOJ said.

The DOJ’s Sober Home Initiative began in 2021, after O.C. overtook South Florida as the national epicenter for addiction industry fraud. Historically, the Miami area had that dubious distinction, but crackdowns in Florida pushed the problems westward, Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Barron, chief of the Santa Ana Branch Office, said at the time.

Myriad arrests and guilty pleas have resulted from the Sober Home Initiative. Most recently, Kevin M. Dickau, 35, of Tustin, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud on April 23 and was sentenced to 15 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

It doesn’t appear that the DOJ is done just yet. Raffa’s indictment mentions mysterious unnamed body brokers, and when we asked if there’d be more indictments coming, spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy said, “We have no comment.”

The vast majority of addiction treatment facilities in the state are here in Southern California. The fraud is lucrative . It sure would be swell if the state swung into action here as well; there’s certainly enough work to go around.

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A Complete List of Everyone Who Received Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard Jam

From Tracee Ellis Ross to Abigail Spencer, here's who got the Duchess of Sussex's strawberry jam.

Over the past few weeks, social media posts from the Duchess of Sussex's close friends revealed that the rollout for Meghan's new lifestyle brand has begun . Meghan sent limited-edition, American Riviera Orchard-branded jars of strawberry jam in a basket of lemons to a select group of people. The jars are labeled out of a run of 50, and so far, only ten recipients have shared snaps of the jam. (We'll update this story if the other 40 jam jars are revealed!)

Meghan's forthcoming venture could possible be linked to one of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's newly announced projects for Netflix : Meghan's cooking and entertaining show . The as-yet-untitled show will see Meghan "celebrate the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship."

Here's who received the coveted jam (so far):

Abigail Spencer

Abigail Spencer , Meghan's close friend and former Suits costar, shared a few photos on Instagram posing with the jam and a dog that appears to be one of Meghan and Harry's beagles .

"This jam is my jam," Spencer wrote on April 21. "A delicious taste of what’s to come indeed… love you so M🍓🌱🍋🫶🏽." Kaling (another jam recipient, see below), commented, "This is like an ad for sunshine and happiness."

Jar # : 6 of 50

Nacho Figueras and Delfina Balquier

Harry and Meghan's close friends, Nacho Figueras and Delfina Balquier, were among of the first to post the American Riviera Orchard jam on social media; they each shared pictures of the same jar. ""Strawberry 🍓jam makes me happy," Balquier wrote. "And I ❤️ your jam," she added, tagging Meghan's American Riviera Orchard account. Figueras, meanwhile, shared a snap of him eating a piece of toast with the jam. They recently joined the Sussexes in Florida for a charity polo match.

Jar # : 10 of 50

Kelly McKee Zajfen

One of Meghan's close friends, Kelly McKee Zajfen, also posted a photo of herself holding the American Riviera Orchard goodie basket to her Instagram feed, writing, "Ohhhhh Just a taste of what’s to come!!! So proud of you M" and tagging the Orchard's account.

Jar # : 3 of 50

Tracee Ellis Ross

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross posted a snap of the basket of lemons with the jam jar in the middle to her Instagram story without any text. Ross's photo featured an envelope that had her name written elegant script—possibly by Meghan herself, who previously worked as a calligrapher .

Jar # : 21 of 50

Tracy Robbins

Tracy Robbins—pictured here with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in Jamaica earlier this year—was one of the first people to share the American Riviera Orchard jam and lemons.

“Thank you for the delicious basket!" Robbins wrote on her Instagram story. "I absolutely love this jam so not sure I'm sharing with anyone :)" She added, "Thank you M!" with the hashtags #montecitogoodness #americanrivieraorchard.

Jar # : 17 of 50

Mindy Kaling

Actress and writer Mindy Kaling, who recently spent time with Prince Harry in San Francisco , was one of the lucky recipients of the American Riviera Orchard gift basket. She posted to her Instagram story, writing "obsessed" and tagging the brand's account.

Jar # : 19 of 50

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend

On Tuesday, April 24, Chrissy Teigen became the latest celebrity to share her American Riviera Orchard jam, posting a reel to "Jamming" by Bob Marley & the Wailers of her using the jam in a sandwich—and her family eating it.

"We jammin!!" Teigen wrote. "This might have been one of the best bites we’ve had all year - all we used is some rustic bread, salted butter, triple cream brie, thick cut bacon and some @americanrivieraorchard jam! took about 8 mins total and made us happy for the entire weekend. 🤍"

Jar # : 20 of 50

Kris Jenner

Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner joined the growing list of American Riviera Orchard jam recipients, posting on her Instagram story a snap of the basket of lemons and strawberry jam, along with a handwritten note that featured her name. "Thank you @americanrivieraorchard" she wrote, with a yellow heart emoji and a lemon.

Jar # : 13 of 20

Garcelle Beauvais

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais joined the growing number of jam recipients, posting a picture of the American Riviera Orchard gift basket to her Instagram with the caption "sweetness" and tagging the Orchard's account.

Jar # : 18 of 50

Heather Dorak

Meghan's close friend Heather Dorak shared a snap of her kids snacking on American Riviera Orchard jam. "Kid tested, mother approved!" Doark wrote . "Thank you for the tasty homemade jam @americanrivieraorchard . Love you M!"

Jar # : 7 of 50

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Bonza has entered voluntary administration. What's happening with the flight cancellations across Australia?

Many Australians have been left stranded at airports across the country after budget airline Bonza "temporarily" suspended all flights on Tuesday.

The company entered voluntary administration within hours of the cancellations, and the administrators have since confirmed the fleet will remain grounded until Thursday, May 2.

Here's what we know so far.

First up, what is Bonza?

Bonza Aviation was set up as a budget regional airline and its first flight took off in January 2023.

The airline aimed to target the regional routes that weren't serviced by the larger carriers like Virgin , Qantas or, more recently,  Rex Airlines . 

For example, with Bonza you were able to fly from the Sunshine Coast to Mildura without having to stop in a capital city.

The Transport Workers' Union said there were roughly 150 Bonza workers between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne.

Who owns Bonza?

The airline was the brainchild of  Tim Jordan, who held senior commercial roles with Virgin Australia . He was the chief executive of Bonza.

Back in 2023, Mr Jordan he said the airline would lead to cheaper  ticket prices  due to greater competition.

"I think in any industry anywhere in the world, additional competition is positive for downward pressure," he said at the time.

The airline has the backing of a US investment firm called 777 Partners .

Based in Miami, the firm describes itself as "investment platform that helps bold entrepreneurs transform visions into enduring value".

Among other things the firm owns an "ultra-low cost" airline in Canada called Flair Airlines and a minority stake in the Melbourne Victory A-League team.

What's happening with the Bonza flight cancellations? 

Customers arrived at airports across Australia to learn their flights had been cancelled. 

Mr Jordan released a two-line statement just after 8am saying all services would be temporarily halted:

"Bonza has temporarily suspended services due to be operated today (Tuesday 30th April), as discussions are currently underway regarding the ongoing viability of the business. "We apologise to our customers who are impacted by this and we’re working as quickly as possible to determine a way forward that ensures there is ongoing competition in the Australian domestic aviation market."

Basically, Mr Jordan said he was in talks about whether the business can continue.

But within hours a notice was filed to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) stating that the company had entered voluntary administration.

This means there is an opportunity for the director or a third party to rescue Bonza, or for the company to be restructured.

The airline is yet to provide any update, but administrators Hall Chadwick released a statement late on Tuesday afternoon saying that it is : "currently considering the continued trading of the company's operations during the course of the administration period including the continuation of employment of all employees of the company".

"The company's fleet is currently grounded pending discussions with relevant parties and key stakeholders," the statement reads.

"The grounding of the fleet is currently up to and including Thursday 2 May 2024, and customers with bookings during this period are advised not to travel to the airport."

Have the cancellations come out of nowhere?

It's not the first time the airline has cancelled flights. Roughly 1,600 customers were left in the lurch when its Darwin-Gold Coast flights were cancelled in December .

That cancellation was extended to March this year , flights were cancelled out of  Mount Isa  and the airline has been facing ongoing questions about  the timeliness of its arrivals .

Aviation expert Keith Tonkin said analysts felt it was difficult for the airline to make a profit.

He says that's because routes it took "had relatively thin margins" — but he says it's not impossible to break into a market dominated by Qantas and Virgin Airlines.

"Where there's a will there is a way," Mr Tonkin says.

"But Bonza's model has seemingly proven to be difficult to sustain."

Aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas, the editor-in-chief of the website Airline Ratings, said he understood the airline's backers, 777 partners, had made changes to the leasing and financing of its aircraft.

He said the budget carrier may have been caught off guard.

777 Partners has been contacted for comment.

"I think that the problem of Bonza is overseas, with leasing companies, and not the local management, not the business model," Mr Thomas said.

Has the government said anything?

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King says she's looking into it. She says she's spoken to the chief executives of Qantas and Virgin.

"Both airlines stand ready to assist stranded passengers needing to get home," Ms King says.

The Transport Department has established a hotline for stranded passengers –  1800 069 244 – that will be operating until 10pm on Monday. 

Ms King says she expects Bonza to deal with its customers in a transparent fashion.

"My department has reached out to Bonza and our expectation is that they keep passengers informed of their options and their consumer rights," she says.

Can I get a refund from Bonza?

Affected customers received text messages on Tuesday directing them to fill in an online form, which states:

"We will be issuing you a refund for this flight and, if you no longer wish to travel on them, any other flights on the same booking reference as this cancelled flight. "To allow us to process your refund as quickly as we can, please fill in the details below within the next 24 hours and note the form may close for responses after that time. "Once you have completed the form, you can expect the refund to appear in your account within 21 days. The refund will be paid to the payment method you used at the time of making the booking. "Sorry again for the inconvenience and we hope to welcome you onboard a Bonza flight in the future."

Customers whose flights have been cancelled in the past say they have had difficulty getting refunds from Bonza.

But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has protections in place for airline customers.

According to the ACCC, a travel service provider  must give the option of a refund if it can't provide a replacement service for a cancelled flight in a reasonable amount of time.

If you booked a now-cancelled Bonza flight using a credit or debit card online, you may be able to have that transaction reversed through your bank or financial institution, but it's unlikely to be a speedy process.

The Transport Department's hotline is focusing on helping stranded Bonza customers book Qantas, Virgin, or Jetstar flights.

The airlines have offered passengers stranded mid-journey on Tuesday complimentary seats, where available, on flights to the airport nearest to their final planned Bonza destination.

Bonza has not responded to requests for comment.

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Meghan Markle is not filming Netflix show on a California cannabis farm despite rumors

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Rumors swirled that Meghan Markle’s highly-anticipated cooking show is being filmed on a cannabis farm marred by controversy. However, an insider confirms to Page Six that there is no truth to the ganja gossip.

“The show is not filmed on or near any cannabis farm,” a source affiliated with the show tells Page Six on Wednesday.

The source added that the shoot is taking place at a “private residence” and that “anything that suggests otherwise is made up fodder.”

Speculation that the Duchess of Sussex, 42, was filming the show on a weed farm swirled after the Daily Mail reported that the backdrop for Markle’s show would take place in two California locations: a $5 million home in Montecito belonging to Tom and Sherrie Cipolla and a farm owned by the cannabis-supplying Van Wingerden family in the nearby seaside city of Carpinteria.

The Van Wingerdens are the area’s largest vendors of legally produced cannabis, according to the website.

The Cannabis farm, dubbed Farmlane, is owned by David and Cindy Van Wingerden, who turned their flower farm into a marijuana mecca in 2015. They now sell cannabis flowers and pre-rolled cannabis joints.

But the Van Wingerden family’s operation and other cannabis farms have had the neighborhood up in arms over the pungent weed fragrance contaminating the air.

Local Carpinteria residents filed 2,340 odor complaints from mid-2018 to 2022, according to the website.

In September, homeowners in the area filed a class-action lawsuit against two weed farms, unrelated to the Van Wingerden’s business, with claims that their property values had been severely damaged due to the “sewer-like” smells.

“The neighborhood surrounding their property has a thick, heavy, strong stench of cannabis on a near daily basis,” the lawsuit states.

Angry citizens said their homes and clothes reeked of marijuana and that some people were experiencing breathing problems, headaches and nausea.

Page Six confirmed in March that the former “Suits” actress would collaborate on a Martha Stewart-esque show tying into her newly launched lifestyle brand, Montecito Riviera Orchard.

The wife of Prince Harry has already debuted the first product of her cookware and home needs company with a jar of strawberry jam sent to her closest high-powered friends.

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An insider told Page Six Style at the time that the business would focus on home, garden, food and general lifestyle wares.

“She’s been working on this for over a year, and it’s all the things that are close to her heart — all the things she’s passionate about,” an industry source said.

A trademark application obtained by Page Six Style revealed that the company would sell cookbooks, an assortment of edible treats like jellies and spreads and tableware staples like cutlery, table linens, drinkware and more.

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Fubo drops HGTV, TLC, Food Network in carriage dispute

• Updated: May. 01, 2024, 3:42 p.m. |
• Published: May. 01, 2024, 11:22 a.m.

Fubo TV’s base package carries nearly 200 channels -- but none owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.

• Joey Morona, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Fubo subscribers found out Tuesday that some of their favorite programs like “90 Day Fiancé,” “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and “My Lottery Dream Home” were no longer available on the service. That’s because the live TV platform dropped TLC, Food Network, HGTV and other networks owned by Warner Bros. Discovery in a dispute over carriage fees.

“Fubo offered Warner Brothers Discovery market rates for its content and, despite Fubo’s efforts to negotiate in good faith, Warner Brothers Discovery did not provide any counteroffer, and insisted on continuing to offer us above-market rates for its content,” the company said in a statement . “Fubo views Warner Brothers Discovery’s refusal to engage in good faith negotiations as another example of its abuse of massive market power that ultimately limits consumer choice.”

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